China, Tajikistan eye closer cooperation in regional connectivity, agricultural trade

2017-12-01
Xinhua

SOCHI, Russia — China and Tajikistan agreed on Nov 30 to continuously promote bilateral cooperation in regional connectivity and trading of agricultural products.

China is willing to make efforts for better alignment of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with Tajikistan’s development strategy, Premier Li Keqiang told his Tajik counterpart Qohir Rasulzoda in the coastal city of Sochi.

Premier Li said the joint projects of production capacity will be well implemented and cooperation in transportation infrastructure construction will be further explored, so as to promote the industrialization, connectivity and trade facilitation in the Middle Asian country.

Noting the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, the Premier said that China is fully confident with the continuous development of its relations with Tajikistan.

He said that China will carry out cooperation with the Tajik side in the field of modernized agriculture and make efforts to improve the quality of cooperation between China and Tajikistan.

Rasulzoda spoke highly of the close partnership and all-around cooperation between the two neighboring countries, saying that developing ties with China is and will always be a priority of Tajikistan’s foreign policy.

Rasulzoda hoped that China will continue to participate in such projects relating to the development of electric power, buildings of natural gas pipelines and transportation in his country.

He also called on the two countries to speed up production capacity cooperation in such industries as chemistry, metallurgy and architectural materials, and expand cooperation in processing and trading of agricultural products.

Tajikistan will offer preferential policies to Chinese enterprises, Rasulzoda added.

Premier Li arrived in Sochi on the morning of Nov 30 to attend the 16th meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of Government (Prime Ministers).